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Did you know? Updated facts and figures about The Eliminate Project

Jun 20, 2017

Since joining with UNICEF in 2010, we’ve come a long way toward eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus. But we still have a long way to go. Let’s celebrate our progress and let these facts and figures below inspire us to finish the fight.

More than 80 percent of all tetanus cases occur in mothers and their newborns.

Since 2000, 41 countries have achieved maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) elimination, meaning mothers and babies for generations to come will be safe from this terrible disease. You can track our progress here.

Eighteen countries are still facing the deadly consequences of MNT.

Many of the regions where MNT is still prevalent are also war-torn, impoverished or facing outbreaks of other diseases—all of which makes MNT elimination more difficult.

The number of babies dying annually from MNT has dropped by more than 40 percent since 2010.

For the first time ever, fewer than 100 newborns die each day from tetanus.

Unfortunately, MNT still kills an estimated 34,000 babies each year.

As of May 23, 2017, The Eliminate Project has collected US$70.7 million in cash gifts toward our $110 million goal. Help us close the gap.

And for a more in-depth view of the on-the-ground work being performed by UNICEF, check out this special article highlighting some of our recent progress.